Title of document: Risk Perception and Lowland Rice Farming Change in Savannakhet Province, Southern Laos Authors/editor: Chanthavisouk Ninchaluene, Santi Piyadeth, Ian G. Baird Journal’s name if any: European Journal of East Asian Studies Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: Savannakhet University, University of Wisconsin-Madison Year of publication: 2021 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: Lowland rice cultivation is changing in southern Laos. A formalised survey and informal interviews in the lowlands of Savannakhet Province indicate that while some farmers still raise water buffaloes, farmers now mainly use hand-held mechanised ploughs to till their fields. More chemical fertilisers are being used, and improved seed varieties have become dominant, with native varieties disappearing. Due to these changes, rice yields have increased substantially, with many more farmers selling surplus rice. The trade-offs are, however, not simple…   Read More

Title of document: Bridging the gap: How to get climate services to farmers Authors/editor: FAO, MONRE, MAF Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: FAO, MONRE, MAF Year of publication: 2021 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The Lao Climate Service for Agriculture (LaCSA) provides agro-meteorological information in a compact format relevant to Lao farmers. The challenge addressed here, is the delivery of the provided information to farmers and other end-users. While the standard output channel are bulletins that are published online and sent to subscribed receivers, these resources may be beyond the reach of many farmers. Under the SAMIS project, FAO in collaboration with the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) and the Department of Agriculture and Land Management (DALaM), have tested a number of pathways to give farmers access to the produced content. Based on their testing, a number of ways have been identified that allow farmers to take advantage of tools that are normally out of their reach. To drive this process, the National Agriculture and Forestry Institute (NAFRI) has trained DAFO and DONRE staff throughout the country in the use and retrieval of LaCSA information. The purpose of this leaflet is to present the identified dissemination options and insights, to encourage subsequent projects in taking them up or building on them.   Read More

Title of document: Managing Pesticides for Greener Growth in Lao PDR (Ver. English & Laotian) Authors/editor: World Bank Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: World bank Year of publication: 2021 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example:…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: Pesticides management is important for sustainable agriculture and green growth. Sound pesticides management and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in particular are widely acknowledged as important mechanisms to mitigate pre- and post-harvest losses and to achieve sustainable agricultural intensification.   Read More

Title of document: ASEAN Guidelines for Responsible Investment in Food, Agriculture and Forestry Authors/editor: ASEAN Secretariat Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: ASEAN Secretariat, Grow Asia, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and a World Bank trust fund. Year of publication: 2019 Geographic focus: ASEAN Main issues/ topics addressed (for example:…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The ASEAN Guidelines on Promoting Responsible Investment in Food, Agriculture and Forestry were adopted by ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) in October 2018 and were developed in response to a decision by that same group the year prior. The guidelines have as their main objective the promotion of responsible regional investment in food, agriculture and forestry that ensures economic development, while also incorporating and reflecting the diverse circumstances of different ASEAN member states. Ensuring responsible investment in these sectors will be key in meeting the food safety and security needs of the growing population of the Southeast Asian region. The guidelines are grounded in the Committee on World Security’s Principles for Responsible Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI). They were developed through a multi-stakeholder process involving the ASEAN Secretariat, Grow Asia, the International Institute for Sustainable Development, the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation and a World Bank trust fund.   Read More

Title of document: NAFRI Research Brief: Leveraging Geo-Economic Proximity and Agricultural Commercialisation Authors/editor: Mr. Khamphou Phouyyavong, (PhD), Deputy Director of ERDRC, NAFRI; Ms. Isabelle Vagneron (PhD), Policy Research Specialist; Ms. Sengphachanh Sonethavixay, Technical Advisor; Mr. Anthony M. Zola, Development Economist Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: NAFRI - MAF Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The purpose of this research brief is to synthesize the findings of ten policy research studies conducted by NAFRI’s Policy Think Tank (PTT) research team between 2016 and 2020, and complementary research studies. The research was related to commercialisation of agricultural products in Lao PDR…   Read More

Title of document: Building an Evidence Base for Policy Formulation in the Agriculture and Rural Development Sector in Lao PDR Authors/editor: NAFRI Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: NAFRI - MAF Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Sustainable Commercial Agricultural Production: A Case Study of Commercialized Banana Production; Development of Benzoin Upstream Value Chains for Uplands of The Lao PDR; Cassava Value Chains in Champasak and Salavan Provinces…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: In June 2012, the Government of the Lao PDR, with the support of development partners, established a Policy Think Tank as part of the Sector Working Group on Agriculture and Rural Development. The Policy Think Tank is led by NAFRI, the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, which is under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The aim of the Policy Think Tank is to engage government ministries and private sector stakeholders in dialogue and consensus building to address critical national policy issues that impact actions at the provincial and district levels to support the improvement of livelihoods among the rural poor…   Read More

Title of document: Lao People’s Democratic Republic: Sustainable Commercialization in the Coffee Value Chain Authors/editor: UNCTAD Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: UNCTAD Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Organic Agriculture in Lao; Coffee Value Chain Actors …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: Sustainable commercialisation of agriculture for the local market and for exports is one of the key pillars of the sustainable development policy of Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Relevant policies and guidelines have been developed to enhance the production capacities of value chain actors and facilitate the access of local agricultural products, including coffee, to international markets…   Read More

Title of document: Managing our natural resources for a better life in the villages of Houaphanh Province: Six Briefs on Bamboo Forest Management and Value Chains Development Authors/editor: Gret, BNDA Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: Gret, BNDA Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: Huaphan Province is diversity of natural bamboo forest. Recognizing this potential since 2009, GRET through its Bamboo and Rattan project with the Houaphanh government and its Bamboo Taskforce has been supporting the Huaphan Bamboo Sector Development Strategy 2011-2015 & 2016 -2020. 5 bamboo value chains being actively developed within the province and supported by the Bamboo and Rattan Project are 1) Handicraft Value Chain; 2) Mai Khuane Value Chain; 3) Khom (Bamboo Shoot) Value Chain; 4) Broom Grass Value Chain; and 5)Red Mushroom Value Chain... After the project has ended, the Bamboo and NTFPs Development Association (BNDA) will continue to support it. You can view BNDA activities via the Facebook page: “ສະມາຄົມພັດທະນາໄມ້ປ່ອງ&ເຄື່ອງປ່າຂອງດົງ/Bamboo & NTFP Development Association” or by email: [email protected]   Read More

Title of document: The management of an improved pasture and the selection of the animal shelter (Lao language) Authors/editor: Agrisud International Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: Agrisud International, SNV, SDC Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The first series of Master-Farmers booklets published on ALiSEA is to support the establishment and management of improved pastures for big livestock.   Read More

Title of document: Harvesting the fodder seeds (Lao language) Authors/editor: Agrisud International Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: Agrisud International, SNV, SDC Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The first series of Master-Farmers booklets published on ALiSEA is to support the establishment and management of improved pastures for big livestock.   Read More